Littleton graduates Look to future

Thursday

Jun 5, 2014 at 12:48 PMJun 5, 2014 at 10:32 PM

By Lindsey O’Donnelllhodonnell@wickedlocal.com

As 94 graduating students walk across the stage Friday evening, they will leave four years of memories in Littleton High School behind.The class of 2014, which has 20 students who are part of the National Honor Society, is made up of students with various backgrounds and experiences.Here are some of those graduating students’ stories.Stephanie GentileStephanie Gentile, who is the class president, has lived in Littleton her whole life. She said she loves living in a small town.During her four years in high school, Gentile played three sports; field hockey, basketball and lacrosse."Through sports, I’ve learned how to create a teamwork dynamic. I was also voted captain for each of the three teams, so I got that leadership experience as well," she said.But Gentile said she learned just as much in the classroom as outside."I took a class this spring called "Facing History" with Ms. [Susan] Harvey, which taught genocide awareness in history," she said. "I liked this class because I learned a lot about stuff going on…, even though it’s far away from home."Next year, Gentile will attend the University of New Hampshire. She enrolled in a five-and-a-half year program for occupational therapy.Gentile said she has always known she wanted to get into the health field, but she wasn’t sure how. This past summer, her grandmother went through physical therapy after suffering a stroke, and Gentile went to some sessions with her and watched her become self-sufficient again."That’s how I knew this is what I wanted to do," she said.Gentile said she’s learned several practical lessons over the course of high school: "I’ve learned that communication is key. Also, don’t procrastinate," she said.Andrew MacGregorAfter he graduates, Andrew MacGregor will attend the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, where he hopes to study computer engineering and possibly minor in physics.When asked what his favorite classes in school were, MacGregor quickly listed off English, physics and math.But the best experiences he went through, he said, occurred after school.MacGregor was on the football team for all four years of high school. This past year, the school’s football team won the 2013 Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 6 championship."I learned so much working on a team, like having a good work ethic and being confident," he said. He also ran track in the winter and spring, and was in various clubs such as Model United Nations and engineering club.MacGregor said he’s looking forward to graduating: "It will be like closure. We’ve gone in a full circle now… I will miss my class. They’re all good people."Valerie HigginsHiggins, who is the class valedictorian, is not yet sure what she wants to study next year, when she attends the Commonwealth Honors College of the University of Massachusetts Amherst."I’m completely undecided," she said, though she has been thinking about pursuing a minor in Spanish.One experience that solidified her love of Spanish was a class trip to Spain during the summer of her sophomore year.Higgins was also a cheerleader for three years of high school, and she said she felt she took a risk when joining the squad her sophomore year."It was really hard, but rewarding experience to join with a group of girls I’ve never worked with before," she said.In terms of her high school experience as a whole, Higgins said she’s learned a lot, but hopes to continue growing in the future."I’ve always been told these school days will be the best time of my life, but I like to think there’s more out there," she said. "I hope to continue to grow and develop my personality.""Littleton’s been a great building block, but I’m ready to go off and experience the future," she added.Follow Lindsey O’Donnell on Twitter @lhodonnellWL and the Littleton Independent @LittletonIndie